Our Winter Nordic Ski Programs are part of the Loppet Foundation’s Trail Kids year-round programming.
*Beginner participants must attend one of our 3 week Beginner Clinics before they register for a 5 or 10-week Winter Ski Programs, or have equivalent skill and experience. Novice to advanced skiers are split into ability and age-specific coaching groups, so that each participant is challenged appropriately. Trail Kids sessions include technique drills, relays, games on skis, distance adventure skiing, and preparation for upcoming race events. The main focuses are developing skills, having fun, and falling in love with a lifetime sport! Please read all equipment and registration information before registering.
Trail Kids Nordic Program Preseason Virtual Presentation
Winter Trail Kids Five and Ten Week Programs Include:
- Discounted registration for designated City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival youth race events.
- Loppet Trail Kids winter hat.
- Bi-weekly 1.5 hour coached training sessions focused on technique, ski drills, endurance, strength, speed, relays, games, and race tactics.
- Coaching and wax support at specific CXC/Skiwerx race events.
Theodore Wirth 10-Week Session
10-week Classic AND Skate Nordic Ski Session
These sessions meet twice a week for ten weeks, focusing on both classic and skate ski technique (classic and skate equipment needed to participate in these sessions). Please read all equipment and registration information before registering.
- Dates: December 28th 2021 – March 3rd 2022
- Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Type of instruction: Skate and Classic technique
- Equipment needed: Skate skis and poles (nose height) & Classic skis (skin skis or kickwax skis) and poles (shoulder height). Combi boots can be used for both techniques.
Full - Join our Waitlist!
Theodore Wirth 5-Week Sessions
Trail Kids offers two five-week sessions for families that want a shorter time commitment and/or to focus on one discipline. The sessions will teach either skate or classic technique, so only one type of ski equipment is needed to participate. Please read all equipment and registration information before registering.
Session 1: Monday/Wednesday 5-Week Classic Ski Session
- Dates: December 27th 2021 – January 26th 2022 (no practice MLK Day)
- Days/Time: Mondays/Wednesdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Type of instruction: Classic technique
- Equipment needed: Classic skis (skin skis or kickwax skis) and poles (shoulder height). Combi boots can be used.
Full - Join our Waitlist!
Session 1: Tuesday/Thursday 5-Week Skate Ski Session
- Dates: December 28th 2021 – January 27th 2022
- Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Type of instruction: Skate technique
- Equipment needed: Skate skis and poles (nose height). Combi boots can be used.
Full - Join our Waitlist!
Session 2: Monday/Wednesday 5-Week Skate Ski Session
- Dates: January 31st 2022 – March 2nd 2022 (no practice Presidents’ Day)
- Days/Time: Mondays/Wednesdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Type of instruction: Skate technique
- Equipment needed: Skate skis and poles (nose height). Combi boots can be used.
Full - Join our Waitlist!
Session 2: Tuesday/Thursday 5-Week Classic Ski Session
- Dates: February 1st 2022 – March 3rd 2022
- Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: The Trailhead (meet at team flags east of the Trailhead)
- Type of instruction: Classic technique
- Equipment needed: Classic skis (skin skis or kickwax skis) and poles (shoulder height). Combi boots can be used.
Session 2 Tuesday/Thursday 5-Week Programs
Hyland 5-Week Sessions
Trail Kids offers two five-week sessions for families that want a shorter time commitment and/or to focus on one discipline. The sessions will teach either skate or classic technique, so only one type of ski equipment is needed to participate. Please read all equipment and registration information before registering.
Session 1: Tuesday/Thursday 5-Week Classic Ski Session
- Dates: December 28th 2021 – January 27th 2022
- Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: Hyland Lake Park in Bloomington
- Registration Fee: $190
- Type of instruction: Classic technique
- Equipment needed: Classic skis (skin skis or kickwax skis) and poles (shoulder height). Combi boots can be used.
Full - Join our Waitlist!
Session 2: Tuesday/Thursday 5-Week Skate Ski Session
- Dates: February 1st 2022 – March 3rd 2022
- Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays 6PM – 7:30PM
- Where: Hyland Lake Park in Bloomington
- Registration Fee: $190
- Type of instruction: Skate technique
- Equipment needed: Skate skis and poles (nose height). Combi boots can be used.
Full - Join our Waitlist!
Winter Program Equipment Guide
For more information on ski equipment, clothing, and a beginner guide to both glide and kick waxing tips click here: Nordic Ski Equipment and Program Guide
Registration Information
Ski Ability Level Registration Guide
In order to place youth in the appropriate classic and skate ability groups we need your help during registration. Youth will be placed into ability groups and will be assessed by coaches the first week of session. Please refer to the Nordic Ski Ability Level Registration Guide when registering your child.
Scholarships and Sibling Discounts
Sibling Discount: For those families who have three or more kids in the program we will given a 15% discount code. Please email trailkids@loppet.org for more information.
Scholarships: Need-based registration partial scholarships are available. For information about Trail Kids Program scholarships email trailkids@loppet.org.
Refund Policy
The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus a $40.00 processing fee up until one month before the program starts. There are no refunds for any cancellations within one month of the start of a program. During the program, if your child has a medical issue that makes it impossible to participate, we will issue a prorated refund minus $40.00 processing fee. If the Loppet cancels a program, a full refund will be issued.
Adventure Race Series
The Trail Kids Super Ski Race Series is part of the Loppet Foundation’s Trail Kids year-round programming. The race series is included in the program registration fee *for programs at Theo Wirth location only
Training & Technique Resources
Skate Ski 101 Video Links
- Dress for success in Nordic Skiing with coach Mindy
- Nordic Ski Equipment Tips for beginners with coach Mindy
- Equipment Relay
- Dryland Balance Challenge
- Legs only ski balance and cornering tips
- Loading your ski with the pizza drill!
- Skate V1 Technique with coach Kim
- Lock and Load Double Pole Drills with coach Claire!
- Double Pole Arm Swing with coach Kim
- Snow Plow Basics
- Skate Transitions and Free ski tuck with Jesse Diggins
- Bill Koch Youth Nordic Ski Training Links
- Beginner Nordic Ski Lessons from Nordic Ski Lab